FILE PHOTO: DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra. INQUIRER FILE
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday confirmed that the head of the National Bureau of Investigation’s cybercrime division has been relieved after an allegedly anomalous operation in Manila.
Guevarra, in a message to reporters, said he approved the recommendation of NBI officer in charge Eric Distor to relieve NBI Cybercrime Investigation and Assessment Center head Victor Lorenzo and other personnel of the cybercrime division.
“This, I believe, is standard operating procedure whenever any NBI official or agent is under investigation by the internal affairs division in order to preserve the evidence and preclude any undue influence during the investigation,” the Department of Justice chief said.
Alleged irregularities
“As SOJ (Secretary of Justice), my interest is to maintain professionalism, discipline and ethical conduct among the personnel and operatives of the premier investigating agency in our country,” he added.
The Inquirer repeatedly tried to reach Lorenzo through calls and text messages for comment but he did not respond.
According to Guevarra, “some alleged irregularities were observed” in a May 31 operation conducted by the NBI cybercrime division.
He said it particularly involved the service of a warrant to search, seize and examine computer data in an establishment in Manila.
“No further details could be given at this time, as the matter is being investigated by the internal affairs division of the NBI. We just want to make sure that similar operations in the future will be conducted in a most professional way,” he said.
Guevarra added that he would leave it to Distor to determine where Lorenzo would be assigned while the investigation is in progress.
Meanwhile, the NBI said in a statement that Distor ordered a review of the existing cybercrime and other operational guidelines and procedures.
It added that the bureau will thoroughly reexamine its guidelines on operations including service of search warrant operations, intelligence operations and investigation operations.
Distor also ordered that all operational authority must come from the Office of the Director and must be under the control and supervision of the office.
He also ordered all regional directors, agents in charge and central office chiefs to submit to the Office of the Director their performance/accomplishment reports for review.